By Jeff Favelle September 14th, 2025
You’ve spent months tending to your tomato plants, and now you have a bounty of green tomatoes with winter fast approaching. While the ideal scenario is to let them ripen on the vine, this isn’t always possible. But don’t worry—you can still ripen those green tomatoes indoors and enjoy the taste you deserve. The secret lies in understanding how tomatoes ripen and how you can control the process using a naturally occurring gas called ethylene.
The Problem with Traditional Methods
Many people think the best way to ripen tomatoes indoors is to place them on a windowsill. However, this is a “crude” method that can often lead to disappointment. A windowsill exposes the tomatoes to inconsistent temperatures and sunlight, which can cause them to rot before they have a chance to ripen. Another common mistake is storing tomatoes in the refrigerator. The cold temperature can ruin the texture and flavor, resulting in a mealy and tasteless tomato.
The Best Way: The Power of Ethylene Gas
The most reliable way to ripen tomatoes after they have been picked is to use ethylene gas. Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that triggers the ripening process in many fruits, including tomatoes. You can create the perfect environment for ripening right in your own home.
The method is simple:
- Find an air-restricted space: A paper bag or a cardboard box works perfectly. The key is to trap the ethylene gas that will be released.
- Add a “helper” fruit: Place your green tomatoes in the bag or box. To kickstart the ripening process, add a fruit that naturally emits a high amount of ethylene gas. Ripe bananas, apples, or avocados are excellent choices, but a ripe tomato works just as well.
- Seal it up: Loosely close the bag or box to trap the gas inside. The concentration of ethylene will increase, dramatically speeding up the ripening process from weeks to just a few days.
This method allows you to take control of your tomato harvest and the speed of ripening ensuring you can enjoy a fresh, ripe tomato long after the gardening season has ended.
For a quick video on the process, check this one out here!: